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This NSF-sponsored web site introduces visitors to the tools that allow us to "see" atoms and how scientists use them to create a variety of "nano-architectural wonders." The focus is on educational materials to introduce students to nano-science. Resources include teaching modules for high school and middle school, courses in introductory materials science, video lab manuals, slides and image sets, and a free digital book on using LEGO's as models to explore the nanoworld. Lesson topics include size and scale, nano-materials, scanning probe microscopy, x-ray diffraction, liquid crystals, carbon nanotubes, and memory metal in simple machines.

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National standards (and many state standards) for middle school now require teaching about interactions at the atomic level. The reason is that students need to be building concepts about nanoscale processes to be prepared for future courses in nanotechnology. This collection, developed by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education project (NISE), gives teachers a blueprint. The trick is to let students model these processes on a macro scale that can be easily comprehended. This wonderful web site offers lessons in size & scale, nano-materials, scanning probe microscopy, carbon nanotubes, and a free digital book on using LEGO's as models for atomic-level interactions. Highly recommended by the editors.

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